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Vol. 151, No. 37 — September 16, 2017

GOVERNMENT NOTICES

(Erratum)

DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT

Ministerial Instructions Respecting the Start-up Business Class, 2017

Notice is hereby given that in the Ministerial Instructions Respecting the Start-up Business Class, 2017 published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 151, No. 33, dated August 19, 2017, Schedule 2 — Designated Angel Investor Groups should have included the group “Golden Triangle Angel Network”.

Schedule 2 should have read as follows:

SCHEDULE 2

(Paragraph 4(b))

Designated Angel Investor Groups

Angel One Network Inc.

Canadian International Angel Investors

First Angel Network Association

Golden Triangle Angel Network

Oak Mason Investments Inc.

Southwestern Ontario Angel Group

TenX Angel Investors Inc.

VANTEC Angel Network Inc.

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

CONTROLLED DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES ACT

Notice to interested parties — Proposed regulations amending the Narcotic Control Regulations, the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations, the Food and Drug Regulations — Parts G and J, and the Precursor Control Regulations to streamline the authorization of legitimate activities with reference standards

This notice provides interested stakeholders with the opportunity to provide comments on Health Canada’s intent to amend the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR), the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations (BOTSR), the Food and Drug Regulations — Parts G and J (FDR — Parts G and J), and the Precursor Control Regulations (PCR) to develop a regulatory framework to streamline the authorization of legitimate activities with controlled substances in the form of reference standards (“reference standards”).

The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) is the means by which Canada fulfills its obligations under the United Nations’ Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, the United Nations’ Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, which together form the basis for the current global drug control system. The objective of regulations under the CDSA is to allow legitimate activities with controlled substances and precursors while minimizing the risk of their diversion to illicit markets or uses.

Reference standards are small quantities of highly purified and standardized forms of a given substance that are used as a measurement base to confirm the identity, strength, quality and purity of a substance.

Analytical and forensic laboratories require access to reference standards in a timely manner in order to effectively conduct their work. For example, many drug-testing laboratories support the enforcement of the CDSA and its regulations by testing for and identifying controlled substances seized by law enforcement. Forensic laboratories also play a key supporting role by testing for and confirming the presence of controlled substances in cases of fatal overdoses. Together, these laboratories support the health and safety of Canadians.

Reference standards are controlled and subject to the prohibitions under the CDSA, though regulations under the CDSA do not include specific provisions authorizing activities with them. Instead, laboratories must either apply for a dealer’s licence or apply for an exemption under subsection 56(1) of the CDSA in order to be authorized to conduct specific activities with them.

To facilitate the role of analytical and forensic laboratories in supporting the public health and safety of Canadians, Health Canada intends to propose amendments to the NCR, BOTSR, FDR — Parts G and J, and PCR in order to modernize and streamline the process by which Health Canada authorizes activities with reference standards. More specifically, Health Canada is proposing to amend these regulations to include a regulatory framework that would enable authorized analytical or forensic laboratories to obtain reference standards in a manner that is timely and responsive to their needs.

Authorized laboratories would be limited to laboratories that are owned or operated by or for a federal, provincial or territorial government, or that are providing services related to the protection of public health or safety.

This regulatory framework could set out criteria to provide specificity and transparency to relevant terms such as “reference standard” and “laboratory,” and would enable laboratories to be authorized for a maximum of five years.

Under the proposed framework, authorized laboratories would be able to

Obtain reference standards from licensed dealers and other laboratories authorized under this regulatory framework;

Possess reference standards;

Provide reference standards to licensed dealers and other authorized laboratories; and

Health Canada is also exploring the feasibility of other options that may support a more timely importation process, such as no longer having to apply for and submit import permits.

Authorized laboratories would have to comply with record-keeping, reporting and physical security requirements specified in the regulations.

The publication of this notice in the Canada Gazette, Part I, initiates a 60-day comment period. Anyone interested in this process or having comments on this notice may contact Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Controlled Substances Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, by mail at Address Locator: 0302A, 150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9, or by email at ocs_regulatorypolicy-bsc_politiquereglementaire@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Michelle Boudreau
Director General
Controlled Substances Directorate

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PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE

Appointment opportunities

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. Moving forward, the Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous Canadians and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following positions.